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Notes: Beattie eyeing GM position

Notes: Beattie eyeing GM position

By Mark Sheldon
/
MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Former Expos and Orioles general manager Jim Beattie began his work Tuesday as the Reds' special advisor for new owner Bob Castellini. Beattie hoped it would lead to a long-term relationship with Castellini as the Reds' next GM.

"Oh, yes. Bob knows that," Beattie said from Great American Ball Park. Castellini identified Beattie as a potential candidate for the job Monday after he announced the dismissal of former Cincinnati GM Dan O'Brien.

The only other known candidate to replace O'Brien is Reds baseball operations director Brad Kullman, who was named interim GM.

Beattie was Montreal's GM from 1995-2001 and a co-GM in Baltimore with Mike Flanagan from 2003-05 before being dismissed when Flanagan took over the job himself. He also had a nine-year pitching career with the Yankees and Mariners from 1978-86.

The 51-year-old Beattie was charged with analyzing the baseball operations of the Reds, namely the pitching program. It's considered an open-ended job.

"I'm going to be here as long as Bob feels it's necessary for me to be here," Beattie said. "Initially, I'm going to perform an organizational evaluation of the pitching program and the arms in place and get a sense of what the strengths and weaknesses are."

Beattie was debriefed on the current pitching situation Tuesday in a meeting with O'Brien, the man he could be permanently replacing.

"We understand the nature of the business," Beattie said. "Bob is going to take some time to talk to people. I hope to have conversations with him about my interests in the job."

Krivsky interested, too: Twins assistant GM Wayne Krivsky, a finalist for the Reds GM job when O'Brien was ultimately named in October 2003, could also emerge again as a candidate this time around.

Krivsky said Tuesday afternoon that Castellini had not yet contacted him but expressed his interest in the job.

"I'd be flattered if he does call," Krivsky said. "If he calls [Twins GM] Terry Ryan to get permission, I'd be more than happy to talk to him."

Krivsky was believed to be chief operating officer John Allen's choice for the job in 2003, but was overruled by former majority owner Carl Lindner -- who wanted and selected O'Brien.

Charges avoided: A disorderly intoxication misdemeanor charge was dropped against Reds utility player Ryan Freel on Tuesday by the state of Florida, pending the completion of 35 hours of community service and six months without any further incidents.

Freel was arrested in the early-morning hours of Jan. 8 in Tampa after an alleged altercation. It was the 29-year-old's second arrest within a year. He was charged with driving under the influence in Bellevue, Ky., on April 4.

Power back: Former Reds pitcher Ted Power was named the organization's pitching rehabilitation coordinator Tuesday. Power will work from the team's complex in Sarasota, Fla., and help pitchers recovering from injury rehabilitate.

Power was a pitching coach in the Reds organization for rookie affiliate Billings from 2001-02 and Class A Dayton in 2002.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.